Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, society refers to the organized community of individuals living together, bound by shared laws, traditions, and values. The Bible provides numerous insights into how societies are formed, governed, and maintained, emphasizing the importance of justice, righteousness, and communal responsibility.
Creation and Early SocietyThe concept of society is rooted in the creation narrative. In Genesis, God creates humanity in His image, establishing the foundation for human relationships and community.
Genesis 1:27-28 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.'" This command to multiply and fill the earth implies the formation of societies.
The Role of LawThe Bible underscores the importance of law in maintaining order within society. The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, serves as a comprehensive guide for societal living, covering aspects of justice, worship, and interpersonal relationships.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 instructs, "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you."
Community and ResponsibilityThe Bible emphasizes the importance of community and mutual responsibility. In the New Testament, the early church exemplifies a model of communal living and support.
Acts 2:44-45 describes, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This passage highlights the Christian ideal of selflessness and care for one another within society.
Justice and RighteousnessJustice and righteousness are central themes in the biblical view of society. The prophets frequently call for societal reform, urging leaders and individuals to uphold justice.
Micah 6:8 declares, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse encapsulates the divine expectation for societal conduct.
The Role of GovernmentThe Bible acknowledges the role of government in maintaining societal order.
Romans 13:1-4 instructs believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing their role as God's servants for good. "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
Social Justice and Care for the NeedyScripture consistently advocates for the care of the poor, widows, and orphans, emphasizing social justice as a societal obligation.
James 1:27 states, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." This reflects the biblical mandate for compassion and support for the vulnerable within society.
ConclusionThe Bible presents a comprehensive view of society, highlighting the importance of law, justice, community, and care for the needy. Through its teachings, believers are called to contribute to a just and righteous society, reflecting God's character and purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The relationship of men to one another when associated in any way; companionship; fellowship; company.
2. (n.) Connection; participation; partnership.
3. (n.) A number of persons associated for any temporary or permanent object; an association for mutual or joint usefulness, pleasure, or profit; a social union; a partnership; as, a missionary society.
4. (n.) The persons, collectively considered, who live in any region or at any period; any community of individuals who are united together by a common bond of nearness or intercourse; those who recognize each other as associates, friends, and acquaintances.
5. (n.) Specifically, the more cultivated portion of any community in its social relations and influences; those who mutually give receive formal entertainments.
Greek
3014. lepra -- leprosy... leprosy. Cognate: 3014 -- a deeply infectious, contagious skin disease
rendering a person "ceremonially unclean" in Jewish
society.
...2158. euschemon -- comely
... yoo-skhay'-mone) Short Definition: comely, honorable Definition: (a) comely, seemly,
decorous, (b) of honorable position (insociety), wealthy, influential....
323. anadeixis -- a showing forth
... the proclamation of an appointment Definition: the proclamation of an appointment
(to an office); perhaps rather admission to membership of asociety....
Strong's Hebrew
8356. shathah -- foundation, stay (ofsociety)... shathah or shath. 8357 . foundation, stay (of
society). Transliteration: shathah
or shath Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-thaw') Short Definition: foundations.
...5980. ummah -- close by, side by side with
... From amam; conjunction, ieSociety; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional
prefix), near, beside, along with -- (over) against, at, beside, hard by...
2267. cheber -- company, association, spell
... charmer company, enchantment, wide. From chabar; asociety; also a spell -- + charmer(-
ing), company, enchantment, X wide. see HEBREW chabar. 2266, 2267....
Library
The Founding of theSociety
... THE FOUNDING OF THESOCIETY. IT is a somewhat... His plans. The name by which
thisSociety was known was The Kingdom of God. Christ did...
The Machinery of theSociety
... THE MACHINERY OF THESOCIETY. SUCH in dimmest outline is the Programme of Christ's
Society.... Is it worth while joining Christ'sSociety or is it not?...
The Sins ofSociety
... AMOS THE SINS OFSOCIETY.... He has a message to our state ofsociety which,
in many particulars, resembles that which he had to rebuke....
The Programme of theSociety
... THE PROGRAMME OF THESOCIETY. HUNDREDS of years before Christ'sSociety
was formed, its Programme had been issued to the world. I...
London MissionarySociety.
... STATISTICS OF CHURCHES. London MissionarySociety.... From his suggestions, thesociety
was formed, in 1795, by several ministers of various denominations....
Netherlands MissionarySociety.
... STATISTICS OF CHURCHES. Netherlands MissionarySociety. The principal labors
of thissociety are expended in Dutch India and in Siam....
Rhenish MissionarySociety.
... STATISTICS OF CHURCHES. Rhenish MissionarySociety. The successes of the
London MissionarySociety inspired the pious inhabitants...
German MissionarySociety.
... STATISTICS OF CHURCHES. German MissionarySociety. Thissociety was preceded
in its formation by the Missionary Seminary at Basle, in 1816....
Scottish MissionarySociety.
... STATISTICS OF CHURCHES. Scottish MissionarySociety. Thissociety was established,
in 1796, by the members of the Episcopal church in Edinburgh....
English Baptist MissionarySociety.
... STATISTICS OF CHURCHES. English Baptist MissionarySociety.... Thesociety took him
under their patronage, and sent him back in company with Dr. Cary....
Thesaurus
Society (4 Occurrences)... any temporary or permanent object; an association for mutual or joint usefulness,
pleasure, or profit; a social union; a partnership; as, a missionary
society.
...Primogeniture
... 10); (compare figurative usage in the New Testament: Romans 8:29 Hebrews 12:23;
Hebrews 1:6 Revelation 1:5). 4. The Firstborn in AncientSociety; Sacrifice and...
Righteousness (442 Occurrences)
... righteous. Again, some other things seem righteous because their consequences
are beneficial, both forsociety and for the individual....
Armenian
... 1. Ararat-Armenian: The first version of the New Testament into Ararat Armenian,
by Dittrich, was published by the British and Foreign BibleSociety at Moscow...
Conscience (36 Occurrences)
... found out and exposed to the knowledge of all; and, only when the force of the public
conscience breaks forth on the culprit, driving him fromsociety, does he...
Order (809 Occurrences)
... of things or persons arranged in a fixed or suitable place, or relative position;
a rank; a row; a grade; especially, a rank or class insociety; a group or...
Outcast (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who is cast out or expelled; an exile; one driven from home,society,
or country; hence, often, a degraded person; a vagabond....
Fellow (166 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A member of a literary or scientificsociety; as, a Fellow of the Royal
Society. 9. (vt) To suit with; to pair with; to match. Int....
Education (4 Occurrences)
... By education we understand the sum total of those processes wherebysociety transmits
from one generation to the next its accumulated social, intellectual and...
Member (20 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) One of the persons composing asociety, community, or the like; an individual
forming part of an association; as, a member of thesociety of Friends....
Resources
What is the World Mission Society Church of God, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Society of Jesus? Who are the Jesuits, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should a Christian do when convictions violate a tolerant society? | GotQuestions.orgSociety: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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